Cy-Fair's hope is for school funding

Published 2:10 pm, Monday, December 31, 2012

Six-term incumbent Katy resident Bill Callegari is facing a challenger during the May 29 Republican primary election House Dist. 132

Six-term incumbent Katy resident Bill Callegari is facing a challenger during the May 29 Republican primary election House Dist. 132

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After approving personnel transactions at its June 13 meeting, the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District Board of Trustees named Teresa Hull as the new principal at Opal Hamilton Middle School. Hull has spent the past year as director of curriculum and instruction, high school. courtesy photo. HOUCHRON CAPTION (06/22/2005) SECMETRO: HULL. less

After approving personnel transactions at its June 13 meeting, the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District Board of Trustees named Teresa Hull as the new principal at Opal Hamilton Middle School. Hull has ... more

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Cy-Fair's hope is for school funding

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As Texas legislators prepare to gather in Austin this month, many local officials are optimistic that economic growth will provide more opportunity for improvements across the state.

Lawmakers are waiting for the official number for the budget - which will be released by the Texas Comptroller on Jan. 8, the day before the 83 regular session of the state Legislature convenes. The 2013 session runs through May 27.

Officials from the Cy-Fair Independent School District are hopeful that the new session will result in more funding for education.

"It's going to be an interesting session, and I think there will be a lot of focus on education," said Teresa Hull, associate superintendent, governmental relations and communications for CFISD.

Hull believes that state legislators are receptive to the concerns of educators.

"There's a lot of support across the state from the school districts and the legislators," she said. "We're feeling very optimistic about some positive outcomes."

Hull said the district has several priorities going into the session.

Adopting a school finance system that is adequately funded and equitable is at the top of the district's wish list - which would include restoring the previous biennium's funding cuts.

Hull acknowledged, however, that the Legislature may not be able to move forward on the issue until the court makes a final ruling on multiple lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the state's school finance system.

"We will likely see no change to the school finance structure by the time our budget process is completed," he said.

"We are not expecting the lawsuit on school finance to be concluded or an ultimate decision by the courts before the beginning of our fiscal year."

Snow said CFISD's budget process begins in January, and the final budget is adopted by the end of June.

He said that if a special legislative session is required, it will occur after the district's budget process.

Snow said the stronger economy has provided the state with additional funding that could go to public education, if the lawmakers choose to do so.

"However, the state also has some significant obligations to address during the session that will require additional funding," he said.

Hull said that while the state might put education finance on the back burner, there are other school-related areas that can be addressed.

"The ones I think we're going to see get the most attention right off the bat will be accountability and testing," she said.

The district would like to see a reduction in the amount of high-stakes testing, as well as the elimination of the requirement that an end-of-course exam count for 15 percent of a student's final grade.

Hull said CFISD also wants districts to have more flexibility to manage classroom personnel based on individual school and student needs.

"Let us decide how we want to allocate money into those programs instead of dictating how much and where it will go," she said.

Hull also hopes to gain more local control for the districts.

This would include the elimination of a standard school start date.

She said that the district plans to oppose legislation that would divert funding from public education, such as voucher programs.

Instead, she prefers policies that expand on public school choice programs that already exist.

"It's not that we're opposed to choice," she said. "But the idea of public funds going to private and parochial schools is concerning. It diverts public funds from public education."

Hull said the district is waiting for more information on a recent bill introduced by District 7 State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, that would create a voucher program to send students to private schools.

"We're waiting to see what the impact will be," she said. "We feel hopeful that Senator Patrick will hear the voice of our district. He's been a good listener."

Other high priorities

District 132 State Rep. Bill Callegari, R-Houston, said several educators have communicated concerns about the high number of tests required for students to graduate.

"They have to take 15 or more tests to graduate from high school. A lot of people feel that's just too much emphasis on testing," he said. "I've talked to teachers, parents and superintendents, and they just think it's overdone."

Callegari would also like to see more emphasis on career and technical training.

"These are not menial jobs - they are very important jobs," he said. "We need to bring a stronger advocacy for career and technical training, making sure we provide the opportunity to get training and not precluding anyone from going to college."

Callegari also wants to challenge the number of state-required licenses for workers in various industries.

"Texas licenses more people in order to work than the average state," he said. "In my opinion, we only need a license if it protects the health and safety of the individual."

He said he will work to build infrastructure - including developing the state's water resources.

"There's a great need to make sure we have enough water for the future," he said. "The last drought was the worst in Texas history. West Texas and Central Texas are still in a drought. It's a real concern.

"How do we make sure we have enough water and how do we pay for it?"

Transportation is another key issue, Callegari said.

"Texas is doing really well bringing business to the state, but if we can't bring adequate transportation, they're going to stop coming," he said.

Funding for transportation could be a topic for debate, he added.

"We have a gas tax that we use to fund transportation," he said. "Cars use less gas, and less gas means less income. We're going to have to look for ways to finance transportation in the future."

Improving infrastructure is how Callegari believes the state can protect the economy.

"Our economy is doing well, but it is contingent on making sure we have more funding for transportation, water and rail," he said. "The most important thing is that we can keep rolling to work and keep moving goods across the state to keep our economy moving."

Callegari estimated that 44 new legislators will join the session.

"It's not necessarily a bad thing, because there will be a lot of new ideas and insights," he said. "But it still takes awhile to learn the process. It's important for those of us who have been around to provide leadership."